All of us know that oxygen is essential for our survival. We cannot live even an hour in its absence, and hence it is appropriately known as “the breath of our life”. However, are you aware of the astounding fact that this life giving gas is equally responsible for killing us? Shocked? Read on.

The process by which our body burns the calories in the food consumed to generate energy which assists our cell in functioning is known as oxidation. It is absolutely necessary for life. However, scientists have now proved that this process produces many dangerous and extremely reactive molecules, known as free radicals.

Free radicals are an important cause of cell damage. They attack the cell walls, the genetic material, as well as other cells. After some time, this change becomes irreversible, and can manifest itself in the form of such diseases as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, and other diseases associated with aging.

One solution to the harm caused by the free radical is antioxidant. An antioxidant is a chemical, which reacts with the free radical, and thus prevents the oxidation of the cells and their contents, which otherwise would get oxidized, turn into free radicals themselves, attack other cells, and thus start a chain reaction, leading to massive cellular damage. Usage of antioxidants prevents all these, and prevents free radicals from attacking other healthy molecules, and minimizing cell damage. The antioxidants also have certain properties by which they can reverse the damages that have already been incurred to the cells.

Fruits and vegetables are important sources of antioxidants. Some important antioxidants that are abundantly available in the food we eat are:

Retinol
Retinol, also known as beta carotene, is a form of vitamin A. scientific studies have shown that it protects dark green, yellow and orange vegetables from the harmful effects of sun, and is assumed to play a similar role in the human system. It is found in vegetables like carrots, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, kale, collards, cantaloupe, peaches, and apricots.

Ascorbic Acid
Ascorbic acid, commonly known as vitamin C is water soluble. This antioxidant is commonly found in citrus fruits like oranges, sweet lime, etc .It is also found in green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, raw cabbage, and tomatoes.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E, another important vitamin with antioxidant properties, is fat soluble. Thus it helps to protect lipids, which are an integral part of the cell membrane.

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